Page 13 - India

Unemployment rate dips for second month to 5.1% in August: Govt survey

The unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above declined for the second month in a row in August, to 5.1 per cent, according to an a government survey released on Monday. The unemployment rate (UR) was 5.2 per cent in July and 5.6 per cent in both May and June, showed the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The UR was 5.1 per cent in April as per the first PLFS bulletin released in May 2025 "Overall unemployment rate (persons of 15 years and above) declined for the second consecutive month from 5.6 per cent in June 2025 to 5.2 per cent in July 2025 and 5.1 per cent in August 2025," an official statement said. The latest data collected in current weekly status (CWS) showed that the unemployment rate for persons of age of 15 years and above during worked out at 5.1 per cent in August. Male unemployment rate in August 2025 was at its lowest of 5 per cent in five months in August 2025. It was 5.2 pe

India plans $3.4 billion rail project near border with China for security

The logistics upgrade is expected to improve civilian access and reduce response times during emergencies, including natural disasters or military mobilizations

India must develop rare earth magnet ecosystem urgently: SIAM president

India must act decisively to fully leverage the vast opportunities that exist in India for developing the entire rare earth magnet ecosystem, SIAM President Shailesh Chandra said on Thursday. The government is considering incentives for the production of rare earth minerals and magnets in response to China's restrictions on its global supply, which have disrupted the supply chain. "Magnets have since snowballed and industry is presently trying to somehow manage its businesses," said Chandra here at the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) "... there are discussions underway to look at the possibility of developing the entire Rare Earth Magnet ecosystem in India. Therefore, to fully leverage the vast opportunities that exist in our country, we must act decisively," said Chandra, who is also Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility. Chandra further said the Indian automotive industry today stands at an

Bharat Forge signs pact with UK's Windracers to deploy cargo UAVs in India

Forging and advanced engineering company Bharat Forge on Thursday said it has signed an agreement with the UK-based autonomous cargo drone manufacturer Windracers Limited for a collaboration on deployment, localisation and application of the latter's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ULTRA across India. The Memorandum of understanding, signed between the two companies at the ongoing global defence exhibition and conference, DSEI UK 2025 in London, aligns with Bharat Forge's and Windracers' broader aerospace growth strategy of advancing UAV capabilities in India, supporting innovation, technology transfer and strategic aerospace applications across defence, the company said. The MoU begins with an initial two-year term, offering both companies the opportunity to advance localisation, conduct joint trials and shape a definitive agreement for deployment in India, Bharat Forge said. The partnership builds on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), advancing aerospace technology transfer an

India, ADB sign $126 mn loan deal to boost tourism in Uttarakhand

India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a USD 126.42-million loan agreement to promote rural development through sustainable tourism in the Tehri Lake region of Uttarakhand. The project aims to benefit over 87,000 residents and 2.7 million annual visitors through improved tourism planning, upgraded infrastructure, enhanced sanitation and waste management, and disaster preparedness. The project targets the Tehri Garhwal District, one of Uttarakhand's most climate-vulnerable and economically disadvantaged regions. "The ADB loan supports the Government of Uttarakhand's policy to position the state as a diversified, all-weather tourism destination, with Tehri Lake identified as a priority area for development," said Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. "The project showcases a model for sustainable tourism anchored around a hydropower lake by adopting a multi-sector approach to generate jobs, diversify income, and build ..

Afghan foreign minister Muttaqi's India visit postponed over UN sanctions

A planned visit to India by Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi this month has been called off in view of an existing travel ban he faces under UN Security Council sanctions, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. The visit was postponed after he could not get a waiver for the trip, they said. If the visit had taken place, then it would have been the first ministerial visit from Kabul to India after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. The UN Security Council had slapped sanctions against all the leading Taliban leaders and they need to secure a waiver for foreign travels. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, when asked at his weekly media briefing about reports of Muttaqi's proposed visit to India, did not give a direct reply. "As you are aware, we have longstanding ties with the people of Afghanistan. India continues to support the aspirations and developmental needs of the Afghan people," he said. "We continue to have engage

Sharing flood data with Pakistan on humanitarian ground, says India

India on Friday said it has been sharing flood data with Pakistan through diplomatic channels on humanitarian ground even as the Indus Water Treaty remains suspended. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has been sharing the flood data with that country through the Indian high commission in Islamabad. "We have been sharing high flood data with Pakistan through our diplomatic channels as and when it is required. This sharing of data is happening through our high commission in Islamabad," he said. "You've seen the kind of rainfall that is happening in that part of India and that part of the world. And this is being done based on humanitarian considerations," Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. A day after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, India announced a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with New Delhi asserting that "blood and water" cannot flow together. India has been maintaining tha

Jaishankar to represent India at BRICS virtual summit on Monday

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at a virtual summit of the BRICS grouping that has been convened by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva next week to discuss trade disruptions triggered by Washington's policies on trade and tariff. The aim of the summit is to create a common approach in dealing with the Trump administration's tariff tussle. Brazil is the current chair of the BRICS. The 10-member grouping also includes India, China, Russia, South Africa, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. "The Brazilian chair of BRICS has called for a virtual meeting on September 8," External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. "From our side, it will be the external affairs minister who will be participating in (the meeting). This BRICS Summit is at the leaders' level," he said at his weekly media briefing. Lula had dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7 during which both the leaders pledged to strengthen bilateral

India and Singapore unveil roadmap to expand strategic partnership

India and Singapore have unveiled a roadmap to deepen their strategic partnership, focusing on trade, advanced manufacturing, digitalisation, and collaboration in sectors like space and civil aviation

PM Modi, EU leadership pledge to conclude FTA negotiations by year-end

PM Modi held a joint phone call with EU leaders, pledging to conclude the FTA talks by year-end, discuss the 2026 India-EU Summit, and advance the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)

Nearly 47% of ministers in country face criminal charges, says ADR report

Nearly 47 per cent of ministers in the country have declared criminal cases against themselves, including serious charges such as murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women, according to an analysis of poll rights body Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The report came days after the Centre introduced three bills that sought the removal of prime minister, chief ministers, and ministers arrested for 30 days on serious criminal charges. ADR examined self-sworn affidavits of 643 ministers from 27 state assemblies, three Union Territories and the Union Council of Ministers, and found that 302 ministers, or 47 per cent of the total, have criminal cases against them. Of these 302 ministers, 174 face serious criminal cases, the report stated. According to the analysis, of 336 BJP ministers, 136 (40 per cent) declared criminal cases against themselves, and 88 (26 per cent) are facing serious charges. The Congress, which is in power in four states, had 45 ministers (74 per cent) w

Kills us with tariffs: Trump claims New Delhi offered 'no tariff' deal

Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, which includes an extra 25% levy for Russian oil imports, a move that New Delhi slammed as 'unjustified' and harmful to its energy security

China's Xi pushes a new global order, flanked by leaders of Russia, India

Xi was hosting more than 20 leaders of non-Western countries at a summit in the Chinese port city of Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Russia studying investment needs to make Su-57 fighter jets in India

India has stated that it has a requirement for at least two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets and the Russian Su-57 along with the American F-35 is a contender for the project

₹2000 notes worth ₹5,956 crore remain in circulation in 2025: RBI

The high-value Rs 2000 notes worth Rs 5,956 crore are still in circulation, more than two years after the Reserve Bank's withdrawal of the currency notes, according to official data released on Monday. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023. Rs 2000 banknotes continue to be legal tender. In a statement, the central bank said the total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, has declined to Rs 5,956 crore on August 31, 2025. "Thus, 98.33 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023, has since been returned," it said. The facility for exchange of the Rs 2000 banknotes is available at the 19 issue offices of the RBI since May 19, 2023. From October 9, 2023, RBI issue offices are also accepting Rs 2000 banknotes from individuals/entities for deposit into their bank accounts. Further, public can send

India-US joint military drill 'Yudh Abhyas 2025' begins in Alaska on Sep 1

Military contingents from India and the US will engage in a spectrum of tactical drills, including the integrated use of artillery, aviation and electronic warfare systems, as part of a bilateral exercise in Alaska, beginning September 1, officials said. The 14-day 'India-US Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025' is set to take place amid strained ties between New Delhi and Washington over US President Donald Trump's policies on trade and tariff. The drills, which will also involve heliborne operations, will be held from September 1-14. The Indian contingent, comprising personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment, will train alongside soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment 'Bobcats' of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division of the US, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement. "Over two weeks, the troops will rehearse a spectrum of tactical drills including heliborne operations, employment of surveillance resources and unmanned aerial systems,

Indian tea industry concerned over higher US tariff, exports likely to hit

The tea industry in India on Monday expressed concern over the imposition of higher tariffs by US President Donald Trump, stating that the hike in levy is likely to have an impact on exports of the beverage to that country. Leading industry body Indian Tea Association (ITA) said the US is a significant market for Indian tea. In 2024, the US had imported 17 million kilograms of tea from India, while the shipment to America stands at 6.26 million kilograms till May this year, according to the industry body. The additional 25 per cent tariff by the US on Indian products for the country's purchases of Russian oil came into effect on August 27, bringing the total amount of levy imposed on New Delhi to 50 per cent. The tea industry association said that the recent imposition of 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods would be a "limiting factor for exports of the beverage to the US". The association said that persistent decline in tea prices, influx of imports and export market volatility po

India's power consumption rises 4.4% to 150.47 bn units in August

Power consumption in the country grew 4.4 per cent year-on-year to 150.47 billion units (BU) in August. Power consumption was recorded at 144.11 BU in August 2024, according to official data. Experts said continuous rainfall in most parts of the country affected power consumption and demand in August. The highest supply in a day (peak power demand met) in August rose to 229.71 GW last month, from about 216.47 GW in August 2024. Peak power demand had touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024. The previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023. According to government estimates, peak power demand was expected to touch 277 GW in the summer of 2025. However, this summer (April onwards), the record peak power demand was 242.77 GW in June. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), India received 743.1 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 31, about 6 per cent above the long-period average of 700.7 mm. June rainfall w

AI PCs, growth & Asus India’s big bet: Arnold Su, VP, Consumer & Gaming PCs, ASUS India

In this episode of Tech Talk, host Pranjal Sharma sits down with Arnold Su, VP of Consumer & Gaming PCs at ASUS India, to discuss the rise of AI-powered PCs, India’s growing tech opportunities, >

India committed to improving ties with China: PM Modi to Xi Jinping

PM Modi is in China for the first time in seven years to attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, along with Russian President Vladimir Putin